Wages for Medical Transcription
Medical transcriptionists convert audio recordings dictated by medical professionals into written documentation such as reports and letters. Most employers prefer formal postsecondary training from vocational schools or community colleges. Certification from national organizations is voluntary but can increase employability and salaries.
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Basics
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Medical transcriptionists work in well-lit, climate-controlled environments such as hospitals, clinics, laboratories or other medical facilities. Those who telecommute also work from their own homes. A 40-hour week is standard, although those who work from home may have hours that include evenings, weekends and holidays. Their median salary is $32,600 yearly, with a range of $22,430 to $45,700. This is equal to $15.68 hourly, with a range of $10.78 to $21.97. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as of May 2009.
Employers
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The biggest employers of medical transcriptionists are general medical and surgical hospitals, which have the widest range of medical documentation, diagnoses, treatments and patients. They comprise 41 percent of the 82,810 jobs, with pay at $16.58 per hour or $34,480 per year. The highest-paying employers are medical and diagnostic labs at $18.60 per hour or $38,680 per year. However, because they only have under 6 percent of the available positions, jobs here are harder to get.
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Geography
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The BLS reveals that the state with the highest pay for medical transcriptionists is Massachusetts, where compensation is $20.62 per hour or $42,880 per year. California, the most populous state in the U.S., is among the top five, with wages of $19.76 per hour or $41,100, but with far more opportunities at 6,150 jobs. The highest-paying city for this profession is Brockton, Massachusetts, at $32.38 per hour or $67,360 per year. However, it only offers 220 positions.
Prospects
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Jobs for medical transcriptionists will grow by 11 percent until 2018, which is about average for all jobs. A growing and aging population drives this demand by needing more medical tests, treatment and procedures. All of these services require documentation and recording that can then be shared by insurance companies, health care facilities and physicians. The best opportunities will be for those who are certified and working in hospitals.
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References
- Photo Credit Bluetooth headset. image by Saskia Massink from Fotolia.com
